Sec. 2-301. - Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
(1) Communicating means transmitting information, data, ideas, opinions or anything of a similar nature, on a legislative matter, by personal interview, in writing, by telephone or by other methods to a covered official.
(2) Covered official means members of the city council, and their appointed advisory staff members; the mayor, and his or her appointed advisory staff members; the auditor, the clerk and recorder; members of the water board; the manager of transportation and infrastructure; the manager of parks and recreation; the manager of finance; the manager of safety; the manager of licensing and consumer protection; the manager of general services; the manager of human services; the manager of aviation; the manager of public health and environment; the manager of community planning and development; the city attorney; the chief of police; and the fire chief.
(3) Expenditure means a payment, subscription, distribution or gift of money, or anything of value, directly connected to the purpose of lobbying as defined in this section. Expenditure does not include a contribution in-kind from an organization for the purpose of allowing a covered official to attend a function sponsored by that organization, nor does it include payment to a nonprofit organization for the purpose of allowing a covered official to attend a function of the nonprofit organization.
(4) Legislative matters means the drafting, introduction or sponsorship of any bill, resolution, amendment, motion, nomination or appointment, whether or not in writing, pending or proposed for consideration by the city council or a committee thereof.
(5) Lobbying means communicating directly, or soliciting others to communicate, with a covered official by any person in an effort to influence or persuade the covered official to favor or oppose, recommend or not recommend, vote for or against, or to take action or refrain from taking action, on any legislative matter.
a. "Lobbying" does not include submission of a written request to a covered official for a revocable permit pursuant to Charter section 3.2.7 or submission of a written request for vacation, easement or dedication of a public right-of-way.
b. "Lobbying" excludes persons who are not otherwise registered as lobbyists and who limit their activities to appearances to give testimony or provide information to city council or at public hearings or who give testimony or provide information at the request of public officials or employees and who clearly identify themselves and the interest for whom they are testifying or providing information.
(6) Lobbyist means any person, including an attorney at law, who is self-employed or is employed by any other person or organization:
a. For the purpose of engaging in lobbying; or
b. Whose scope of work requires him or her to lobby from time to time.
"Lobbyist" does not include any elected official, any city official, any person duly appointed to a city board, commission or other such body, or any city employee; provided the elected official, city official, person duly appointed to a city board, commission or other such body, or city employee is acting in his or her official capacity.
(7) Person means an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, public or private corporation, association, or organization. Person also means a political education, issues, or action committee or fund, as a separate entity, or which is associated with a corporation, association or organization formed principally for some other purpose, insofar as it engages in lobbying.
(Ord. No. 36-92, § 1, 1-27-92; Ord. No. 1033-95, §§ 1—3, 12-11-95; Ord. No. 56-05, § 1, 1-31-05; Ord. No. 264-07, § 3, 6-11-07; Ord. No. 775-07, § 6, 12-26-07; Ord. No. 920-16, § I, 1-3-17; Ord. No. 427-18, § 1, 6-11-18; Ord. No. 39-20, § 3, 2-3-20; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 1, 7-28-25)
